As is often the case with television... It can be very annoying.
On this occasion its a beef with the 'Discovery Chanel' Through the 'Sky' network we have ( i have ) just watched the Doco about the Earth being slammed by a big comet. ( I should have turned it off ) Generally there was some bits that could be true. A reasonable depiction of events after a massive impact event were sort of well done... They had a group of seemingly well educated people reporting of what might be... It would frighten any young uninformed child to a point of nightmares and sleepless nights for weeks after. The whole thing was a mix of documentary and fiction story. The issue I have with this is that its fear mongering. The end of the program arrived and it looked like Armageddon on steroids. Glum, very depressing and most dire. Yes this Earth has been struck in the past and could be on for another massive life ending smack in the head. The point I did not see, and want spread is...
In order for a object to be a life ending cataclysmic impactor it must have energy enough to do so. It must be large heavy and fast. If it were any or all of these things we would know of it decades out. If a object already inside the orbit of Jupiter were to be disturbed so as to be a potential impactor... we would know of it years away., and even longer for a exo solar object. We know that 70 km per sec. is quick. But the solar system is big and many, yes many. people are looking for just this sort of thing. Pleased to announce that no such object has yet been spotted. The beef with the makers of this rubbish are the target of my displeasure, but no I will not complain directly because at the very core of this thing some reality of our tentative grip of life is true. and I do have a evil streak that secretly enjoys frightening children. I just think they 'the discovery Chanel' should or could have been a little more soft. gentle., and honest.
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Originally Posted by Fazor
